Slide fastener with separable bottom end stop

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a slide fastener with a separable bottom end stop which scatters an external force applied to a reinforcement portion upon the opening/closing operation to reduce an applied load thereby preventing damages to the flexible reinforcement portion. Reinforcement portions are formed on a lower half of a box pin and an insert pin of a separable bottom end stop with synthetic resin symmetrically on front and rear surfaces of a fastener tape such that the reinforcement portions are extended on the fastener tape. Each reinforcement portion has an inside portion adjacent to the box or insert pin and an outside portion connected thereto. In the inside portion, plural ribs are disposed obliquely and a concave portion is formed among the ribs to supply flexibility. The outside portion is formed of thick ribs and connects with the inside portion. Consequently, an external force applied to the reinforcement portion is scatted by the oblique ribs in the thin inside portion, thereby reducing the applied load.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to a configuration of a reinforcementportion for reinforcing a fastener tape provided continuously to a boxpin, an insert pin or a box attached to an end portion of the fastenertape in a separable bottom end stop provided on a slide fastener.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] In recent years, in the slide fastener field, provision of aproduct having a simplified structure, which realizes a cheap price andexcellent quality, has been demanded in the market. This tendency isremarkably apparent in a slide fastener with a separable bottom end stopwhich is used in an opening/closing section in the front body of clothesand capable of connecting or disconnecting end portions of fastenertapes.

[0005] Conventionally, in an ordinary product of the slide fastener witha separable bottom end stop, fastener elements are attached alongopposing side edges of a pair of fastener tapes and the separable bottomend stop constituted of a box pin, a box and an insert pin is attachedto the bottom ends of the fastener elements. Then, a reinforcement tapein which an adhesive layer is provided on the rear face of a plain wovenfabric (taffeta) or synthetic resin film is bonded to the fastener tapeat a portion to be provided with the separable bottom end stop in orderto reinforce the portion for stabilization and then, the separablebottom end stop is attached.

[0006] The slide fastener with the separable bottom end stop having thereinforcement tape requires the reinforcement tape in order to reinforcethe fastener tape so that the quantity of components of the slidefastener increases thereby increasing product cost. Further, because astep of bonding the reinforcement tape and a bonding machine are alwaysrequired in a process for manufacturing the slide fastener and thus, themanufacturing process cannot be simplified, an increase in product costis induced.

[0007] On the other hand, for example, Japanese Utility ModelApplication Publication No. 41-17374 has disclosed a separable bottomend stop for a slide fastener in which a box pin, an insert pin and anet-like reinforcement piece are formed by injection molding usingsynthetic resin in a condition in which it is deviated by half pitch onthe front and rear surfaces of the fastener tape without bonding anyreinforcement tape on the end portion of the fastener tape.

[0008] Because in this separable bottom end stop for the slide fastenerthe outer peripheral edge of its reinforcement piece has a sharp corner,the reinforcement piece is likely to be caught by other things andseparated from the base fabric. Further, because the reinforcement pieceis provided widely and largely toward the outer peripheral edge of thefastener tape, the fastener tape on that portion becomes rigid, so thatwhen the slide fastener is sewed to an object fabric, a sewing needlemakes contact with the reinforcement piece and frequently is broken.Additionally, when the separable bottom end stop is connected ordisconnected, an external force such as twisting force or bending forceis repeatedly applied on the reinforcement piece, which breaks thereinforcement piece. This problem should be solved.

[0009] Further, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,435,489 has disclosed aslide fastener with a separable bottom end stop in which the separablebottom end stop and a horizontal grid structure are provided integrallyat an end portion of a fastener tape while a reinforcement portion isprovided on the surface of the fastener tape by forming an oblique gridstructure integrally adjacent to the former grid structure.

[0010] In the slide fastener with the separable bottom end stop, aninternal portion of the reinforcement piece connected to a box pin, abox and an insert pin is constructed of ribs extended in parallel in thewidth direction of the fastener tape and ribs extended in parallel inthe length direction of the fastener tape such that concave portionsformed between the ribs are arranged. Thus, although the largest load isput on this portion when such an external force as bending or twistingis applied to the fastener tape, it is not durable and easy to damage,which is a problem to be solved. Further, because a grid structure inwhich plural ribs running obliquely with respect to the width directionof the fastener tape intersect with each other is formed in a portionextending from the connecting portion to an outer edge of the fastenertape, that is, a portion in which the fastener tape is sewed on clothesfabric, many ribs intersect with sewing line in which sewing yarn runs,so that the frequency that the sewing needle contacts the ribs at thesewing time increases thereby leading to breaking of the ribs, which isa problem to be solved.

[0011] The invention has been accomplished in views of theabove-described problems and an object of the invention is to provide aslide fastener with a separable end stop which is unlikely to be damagedwhen an external force is applied on a fastener stringer intending tobend it in the direction of the front and rear surfaces. Because pluralribs are disposed obliquely in the connecting portion between theseparable bottom end stop and a reinforcement portion, that is, aninside portion of the reinforcement portion on which the largest load isapplied, the external force is easily scattered and reduced therebymaking the slide fastener hard to be damaged. At the same time,separation of the reinforcement portion from clothes fabric when it iscaught by other things is also prevented.

[0012] In addition to the above-described object, a second object of theinvention is to provide the slide fastener with the separable bottom endstop, in which the reinforcement portions are formed on both surfaces ofa fastener tape by integral molding such that the fastener tape issandwiched thereby while each of the reinforcement portions include aninside portion having a stabilized configuration or flexibility.

[0013] In addition to the above-described objects, a third object of theinvention is to provide the slide fastener with the separable bottom endstop capable of preventing the inside portion of the reinforcementportion from being damaged by scattering an external force applied tothe inside portion of the reinforcement portion.

[0014] Further, in addition to the above-described objects, a fourthobject of the invention is to provide the slide fastener with theseparable bottom end stop which can be provided with a reinforcementstructure for the ribs in the inside portion of the reinforcement or avariable structure for the ribs. More specifically, this object is toprovide the slide fastener with the separable bottom end stop in whichthe inside portion of the reinforcement portion is provided with aconcave portion which, when a twisting force is applied to an endportion of the fastener tape, absorbs part of the external force toreduce the applied load. Furthermore, a fifth object of the invention isto provide the slide fastener with the separable bottom end stop inwhich frequency of contact of a sewing needle and ribs when a fastenertape is sewed on clothes or the like are reduced in order to prevent theribs from being damaged in an outside portion of the reinforcementportion.

[0015] Moreover, a sixth object of the invention is to provide the slidefastener with the separable bottom end stop, in which, even when thefastener stringers are cut with heat, the end portion never turns rigid,particularly no lump is generated in a core portion, securing anexcellent texture to the skin and even when a twisting force is appliedto the end portion of the fastener tape, the ribs in the reinforcementportion are never separated from the tape. Further, a seventh object ofthe invention is to provide the slide fastener with the separable bottomend stop, in which the outside portion of the reinforcement portion canbe fixed on the fastener tape firmly in order to prevent thereinforcement portion from being separated, thereby ensuring a long termuse while the inside portion of the reinforcement portion is formed intoan optimum structure capable of exerting its effective function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENITON

[0016] In order to achieve the above objects, according to a firstaspect of the present invention, there is provided a slide fastener witha separable bottom end stop in which fastener elements are attached toopposing side edges of a pair of fastener tapes, comprising a separablebottom end stop of synthetic resin constituted of, for example, a box, abox pin, and an insert pin, which is attached by integral molding toeach of opposing side edges of the fastener tapes adjacent to thefastener elements, and a reinforcement portion for reinforcing thefastener tape, the reinforcement portion being formed integrally withthe separable bottom end stop and extended toward at least one surfaceof the fastener tape, wherein the reinforcement portion is formed ofplural ribs disposed obliquely as seen in its plan view, which areprovided in an inside portion connected to the separable bottom endstop.

[0017] In addition to the above constitution, preferably, thereinforcement portion is so configured that the ribs are disposedsymmetrically on both surfaces of the fastener tape while the insideportion connected to the separable bottom end stop is formed thinnerthan an outside portion. It is desired that the intersecting portion ofthe ribs formed in the inside portion of the reinforcement portion isformed in an arc-like configuration as seen in its plan view. Further,preferably, a concave portion is formed in, for example, a through-holeshape or a concave shape having a thin bottom portion, among the ribs inthe inside portion of the reinforcement portion. Preferably, a cut-outwhich is dented toward a top end is formed in the bottom edge of theinside portion of the reinforcement portion.

[0018] It is preferable that the reinforcement portion formed on thefastener tape is constituted of the inside portion connected to theseparable bottom end stop and the outside portion which is connected tothe inside portion and extended toward an outer edge of the fastenertape while the outside portion is formed of plural ribs disposed inparallel in the width or length direction with a predetermined interval.

[0019] Further, preferably, a core portion and the fastener tape are cutwith heat with front ends of a box pin and an insert pin as referencepoints, and bottom ends of the inside portion and outside portion of thereinforcement portion are visually recognized that it is located insideof the cut line.

[0020] Moreover, a side edge portion of the fastener tape opposing theouter end portion of the reinforcement portion opposite to the box isformed into a rough structure and the end portion of the reinforcementportion penetrates into the rough structure of the tape.

[0021] Preferably, in the inside portion of the reinforcement portion,width from an inside end faces of the fastener elements toward an insideof the fastener tape is within 4.0 mm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022]FIG. 1 is a front view of major portions of a slide fastener witha separable bottom end stop;

[0023]FIG. 2 is a front view of major portions of a fastener stringerloaded with a box pin;

[0024]FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the fastener stringer;

[0025]FIG. 4 is a front view of major portions of a fastener stringerloaded with an insert pin;

[0026]FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the same fastener stringer;

[0027]FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along a line VI-VI in FIG. 2;

[0028]FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along a line VII-VII in FIG. 2;

[0029]FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a box;

[0030]FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along a line IX-IX in FIG. 8;

[0031]FIG. 10 is a partially broken front view of a state in which thebox and box pin are connected;

[0032]FIG. 11 is a partially broken front view showing a state in whichthe fastener stringer loaded with the insert pin is being engaged withthe fastener stringer loaded with the box;

[0033]FIG. 12 is a partially broken front view showing a state in whichthe fastener stringer loaded with the insert pin is engaged with thefastener stringer loaded with the box;

[0034]FIG. 13 is a front view showing a modification of thereinforcement portion;

[0035]FIG. 14 is a front view showing another modification of thereinforcement portion;

[0036]FIG. 15 is a front view showing still another modification of thereinforcement portion;

[0037]FIG. 16 is a front view showing a modification of the insert pinand the reinforcement portion;

[0038]FIG. 17 is a partially broken front view of the bottom end stop inwhich the box and the box pin are integrated;

[0039]FIG. 18 is a front view of an embodiment in which the fastenerstringer is loaded with the reinforcement portion;

[0040]FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken along a line XIX-XIX in FIG. 18;

[0041]FIG. 20 is a side view of another embodiment in which the fastenerstringer is loaded with the reinforcement portion;

[0042]FIG. 21 is a corresponding sectional view taken along a lineXIX-XIX in FIG. 18; and

[0043]FIG. 22 is a front view of major portions in the slide fastenerwith other separable end stop.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0044] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a slide fastener with aseparable bottom end stop of the invention will be described withreference to the drawings.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 1, in the slide fastener with the separablebottom end stop, a fastener chain 1 is not a closed product with abottom end stop but an openable product, that is, provided with aseparable bottom end stop 5 which enables right and left fastenerstringers 2 to be separated completely. Fastener elements 4 are mountedon a core portion 6 provided on a side edge of a fastener tape 3. A boxpin 8 as the separable bottom end stop 5 is mounted on the core portion6 continuously with the bottom end of the fastener element 4 of one sidefastener stringer 2 and an insert pin 9 as the separable bottom end stop5 is mounted on the core portion 6 continuously with the bottom end ofthe fastener element 4 of the other fastener stringer 2. As shown inFIG. 10, the fastener stringer 2 with the separable bottom end stopprovided with the box pin 8 and a box 7 is produced and combined withthe fastener stringer 2 loaded with the insert pin 9 so as to completethe slide fastener with the separable bottom end stop.

[0046] In the slide fastener with the separable bottom end stopaccording to a first embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 12, a flatreinforcement portion 10 is provided integrally with a side face of thebox pin 8 attached to one side fastener stringer 2 of the fastener chain1 such that it is extended to the surface of the fastener tape 3 asshown in FIG. 2. On the other hand, a flat reinforcement portion 10 isprovided integrally with a side face of the insert pin 9 attached to theother fastener stringer 2 such that it is extended to the surface of thefastener tape 3 as shown in FIG. 4. The fastener elements 4, box pin 8,insert pin 9, box 7 and reinforcement portion 10 in the fastener chain 1are formed integrally with the fastener tape 3 by injection moldingmeans using thermoplastic resin such as polyacetal and polyamide.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the box pin 8 and insert pin 9 areprovided with the reinforcement portions 10 which are protruded outwardfrom the side faces thereof while the surfaces thereof are extendedflatly. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, as the reinforcement portion 10 forthe box pin 8, an inside portion 11 and an outside portion 12 areprovided from the side face of a lower half portion of the box pin 8such that they are protruded outward on the fastener tape 3. In theinside portion 11 adjacent to the box pin 8, plural ribs 13 a protrudefrom a side face of the box pin 8 and are disposed obliquely as seen ina plan view and concave portions 14 are formed among the oblique ribs 13a. The concave portions 14 are formed in various kinds of shapes, suchas square, diamond, circular or oval and as shown in FIG. 6, into athrough-hole configuration or into a concave shape having a thin bottomportion. Consequently, the inside portion 11 of the reinforcementportion 10 is provided with flexibility through the ribs 13 a andconcave portions 14 and further, by forming an intersecting portionbetween the ribs 13 a into a circular or curved shape, an external forceapplied to the reinforcement portion 10 is scattered.

[0048] As for the size of the inside portion 11 in the reinforcementportion 10, width W from an inside end faces of the fastener elements 4toward an inside of the fastener tape 3 is within 4.0 mm. The width ofthe fastener tape 3 in the slide fastener Nos. 3 to 5 preferably usedfor ordinary purpose is 13 to 16 mm and thus, it is as large as it canbe formed within about 30% the width of this fastener tape 3. Althoughthe ratio between the inside portion 11 and the outside portion 12 maybe changed according to the size of the slide fastener or customer'sdemand, it is important that the inside portion 11 exists in a portionin which it can go through between flanges 36 of a slider 35 while theoutside portion 12 exists in a portion in which the fastener stringer 2is to be sewed to a sewing object. Further, the bottom edge of thereinforcement portion 10 in the inside portion 11 is provided with acut-out 15 which is dented upward so as to absorb part of an externalforce applied to the end portion of the fastener tape 3 such as atwisting force. In the meantime, the upper edge of the inside portion 11can be also provided with the cut-out 15.

[0049] The outside portion 12 of the reinforcement portion 10 is formedadjacent to the inside portion 11 and the outside portion 12 is formedof thicker ribs 13 b, 13 c than the ribs 13 a in the inside portion 11.The ribs 13 b are formed such that they extend in parallel in a widthdirection of the fastener tape 3 and have a predetermined intervaltherebetween in a length direction of the fastener tape 3. Preferably,the sectional shape of the ribs 13 b is an isosceles triangle while theinclination angle of the side face is about 60° as shown in FIG. 7, thatis, the angle a shown in FIG. 7 satisfies the condition of α≦30°. Bysecuring a large interval between the ribs 13 b and forming thesectional shape of the ribs 13 b into the shape described above, thefrequency that a sewing needle may contact the ribs 13 b when thefastener stringer 2 is sewed to a sewing object is reduced therebypreventing the ribs 13 b from being damaged. Further, front ends of theplural ribs 13 b are connected by a rib 13 c extending in the lengthdirection of the fastener tape 3. The rib 13 c has a parallel potion 13c-1 extending in a parallel direction with the length direction of thefastener tape 3 at a bottom end side of the outside portion 12 and abent portion 13 c-2 bending in a direction parting from an outside edgeportion of the fastener tape 3 at an upper end side of the outsideportion 12. The rib 13 c has the same sectional shape as that of the rib13 b. Due to the bent potion 13 c-2 of 13 c, the rib 13 b and the rib 13c-2 are connected at obtuse angle at an upper corner of a flame 16.Therefore, since the upper corner of the flame 16 is not acuminate, theupper corner of the flame 16 of the reinforcement portion 10 areprevented from hitching other object and thereby separation of thereinforcement portion 10 from the fastener tape 3 is avoided. In thereinforcement portion 10 of the outside portion 12, the frame 16 isformed with the rib 13 b and the rib 13 c, thereby forming a stableconfiguration. Consequently, when the fastener stringer 2 is nipped withfingers, it is easy to be nipped because an appropriate stiffnessexists, so that the operation of the bottom end stop can be carried outeasily.

[0050] As for the configuration of the box pin 8 formed on the coreportion 6 of the fastener tape 3, a recess 17 is provided on an oppositeface to the face on which the reinforcement portion 10 is formed. Apartition plate 29 provided between a front wall 25 and a rear wall 26of the box 7 is engaged with this recess 17 so as to integrate the boxpin 8 with the box 7.

[0051] In the reinforcement portion 10 of the fastener stringer 2 loadedwith the insert pin 9, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the inside portion 11and the outside portion 12 are provided on a side face of the lower halfportion of the insert pin 9 such that it is protruded outward on thefastener tape 3 like the fastener stringer 2 loaded with the box pin 8.Plural ribs 13 a protrudes from a side face of the insert pin 9 and aredisposed obliquely as seen in its plan view in the inside portion 11adjacent to the insert pin 9 and the through-hole type concave portions14 having no bottom or the concave portion 14 having a thin bottomportions are formed among the oblique ribs 13 a so as to provide withflexibility and intersecting portions of the ribs 13 a are formed inarc-like shape such as circular one so as to scatter an external forceapplied to the reinforcement portion 10. Because the reinforcementportion 10 is provided on the lower half portion which is a part of eachof the box pin 8 and insert pin 9, the reinforcement portion 10 havingflexibility can be formed.

[0052] The inside portion 11 in the reinforcement portion 10 is formedwithin about 30% of the width of the fastener tape 3 like the fastenerstringer 2 loaded with the box pin 8. The cut-out 15 is provided in thelower edge of the reinforcement portion 10 in the inside portion 11 soas to absorb part of an external force such as a twisting force appliedto the end portion of the fastener tape 3. In the meantime, the cut-out15 may be provided on the upper edge of the inside portion 11.

[0053] The outside portion 12 of the reinforcement portion 10 is formedcontinuously with the inside portion 11 like the fastener stringer 2loaded with the box pin 8 and the outside portion 12 is formed ofthicker ribs 13 b, 13 c than the ribs 13 a in the inside portion 11. Theribs 13 b are so provided that they extend in parallel in a widthdirection of the fastener tape 3 toward the outside of the fastener tape3 and have a predetermined interval therebetween in a length directionof the fastener rape 3,the front ends of which are connected by the rib13 c extending in the length direction of the fastener tape 3 so as toform the flame 16. The rib 13 c has the parallel potion 13 c-1 extendingin the parallel direction with the length direction of the fastener tape3 at the bottom end side of the outside portion 12 and the bent portion13 c-2 bending in the direction parting from the outside edge portion ofthe fastener tape 3 at the upper end side of the outside portion 12. Dueto the bent potion 13 c-2 of 13 c, the rib 13 b and the rib 13 c-2 areconnected at obtuse angle at the upper corner of a flame 16. Therefore,since the upper corner of the flame 16 is not acuminate, the uppercorner of the flame 16 of the reinforcement portion 10 are preventedfrom hitching other object and thereby separation of the reinforcementportion 10 from the fastener tape 3 is avoided. Each of the ribs 13 band 13 c is formed such that the sectional shape is an isoscelestriangle and the inclination angle of the side face is about 60°, sothat contact with the sewing needle is avoided at the time of sewing ofthe fastener stringer 2, thereby protecting the ribs 13 from a damage.

[0054] The reinforcement portions 10 constituted of the inside portions11 and outside portions 12, which are to be formed on the fastenerstringers 2 loaded with the box pin 8 and insert pin 9, are formed onthe front and rear surfaces of the fastener tape 3 by injection moldingas shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, so that the front and rear surfaces of thefastener tape 3 are sandwiched by the reinforcement portions 10. Thereinforcement portions 10 may be formed on only a single surface of thefastener tape 3, not on both sides.

[0055] In the box 7 to be attached to the fastener stringer 2 loadedwith the box pin 8, which is a rectangular solid, as shown in FIGS. 8and 9, the narrow partition plate 29 is provided at an upper portion inthe center between the front wall 25 and the rear wall 26 and anengaging portion 32 is provided on the bottom end of the partition plate29. An insertion hole 28 which is an opening equal to the thickness ofthe inside portion 11 of the reinforcement portion 10 and through whichthe fastener stringer 2 loaded with the box pin 8 can be inserted, isprovided in a side wall 27 located sideway of the box 7 while a box pininsertion hole 30 through which the box pin 8 can be inserted isprovided between the insertion hole 28 and the partition plate 29. Aninsertion hole 28, which is an opening equal to the thickness of theinside portion 11 of the reinforcement portion 10 and through which thefastener stringer 2 loaded with the insert pin 9 can be inserted, isprovided up to the bottom portion of the other side wall 27 while aninsert pin insertion hole 31 through which the insert pin 9 can beinserted is provided between the insertion hole 28 and the partitionplate 29, so that the box 7 is completed.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 10, the box pin 8 of the fastener stringer 2loaded with the box pin 8 is inserted into the box pin insertion hole 30in the completed box 7 and the inside portion 11 of the reinforcementportion 10 is inserted into the insertion hole 28 in the side wall 27and the partition plate 29 provided in the box 7 is pressed into therecess 17 provided in the side face of the box pin 8. As a result, theengaging portion 32 provided on the bottom end of the partition plate 29engages an end of the recess 17, thereby the box pin 8 and the box 7being integrated with each other and fixed.

[0057] When the fastener stringer 2 loaded with the insert pin 9 ismounted on the fastener stringer 2 loaded with the box 7, with a slider35 being slid to contact the top end of the box 7 and held in contacttherewith as shown in FIG. 11, the insert pin 9 is inserted into a guidegroove 37 in the slider 35 by nipping the reinforcement portion 10 ofthe fastener stringer 2 loaded with the insert pin 9. Further, theinside portion 11 of the reinforcement portion 10 is inserted betweenthe flanges 36 so that the insert pin 9 is inserted into the insert pininsertion hole 31 in the box 7. After that, if the slider 35 is pulledand slid by nipping the reinforcement portion 10, the fastener chain 1in which the fastener elements 4 on the right and left fastenerstringers 2 engage each other is completed as shown in FIG. 12.

[0058] The separable bottom end stops 5 shown in FIGS. 13, 14 and 15indicate modifications of the outside portion 12 in the reinforcementportion 10. In the reinforcement portion 10 shown in FIG. 13, theinstallation ranges of the inside portion 11 and the outside portion 12are formed long and widely relative to the box pin 8 and insert pin 9.Consequently, the quantity of the ribs 13 b extending in the lateraldirection in the frame 16 in the outside portion 12 is increased andrange to be reinforced on the outer edge of the fastener tape 3 becomeswider.

[0059] In the reinforcement portion 10 shown in FIG. 14, although theinstallation range of the inside portion 11 to the box pin 8 and insertpin 9 is equal to that in the first embodiment, the arrangement of theribs 13 b in the outside portion 12 is different. That is, none of theribs 13 b in the outside portion 12 is disposed in the lateral directionwithin the frame 16, but a single rib 13 c is disposed vertically sothat the rib 13 c can be deviated from a sewing line by a sewingmachine, thereby reducing the frequency of damage of the rib 13 c.Consequently, the fastener stringer 2 can be sewed securely andeffectively. Further, because the reinforcement portion 10 shown in FIG.15 has no rib 13 c on the outside end of the outside portion 12 so thatno frame 16 is formed, the outside of the reinforcement portion 10 canbe provided with flexibility.

[0060] Regarding the reinforcement portion 10 for the insert pin 9 shownin FIG. 16, the bottom end of the reinforcement portion 10 formedintegrally on the side of the insert pin 9 is located inside of thebottom end of the insert pin 9 such that it is spaced from the bottomend of the fastener tape 3, that is, there exists a surplus portion ofthe fastener tape 3 below the bottom end of the reinforcement portion 10as compared to the bottom end of the insert pin 9. Due to thisconfiguration, if any external twisting force is applied to the fastenertape 3, it is not directly directed to the ribs 13 a, 13 b, but it isdirected to the surplus portion of the fastener tape 3 firstly.Therefore, the ribs 13 a, 13 b are not easily separated from thefastener tape 3.

[0061] Further, a heat cut method is adopted in order to cut out aseparate fastener stringer 2 of a predetermined length from the fastenerstringer continuing in the length direction. Since the bottom endportion of the fastener stringer 2 is cut with heat, yarns composing thefastener tape 3 adhere to each other where an adhered portion 19 isformed. As a result of forming the adhered portion 19 at the cut endportion of the fastener tape 3, the cut end portion are prevented fromfraying. Further, the heat cut is curried out along a cut line parallelin the width direction of the fastener tape 3 with a position adjacentto the bottom end of the insert pin 9 as a reference point such that thecore portion 6 of the fastener tape 3 extends lower than the bottom endof the insert pin 9 only a little, and thereby an excellent texture isobtained. Additionally, this is applicable for the fastener stringer 2loaded with the box pin 8.

[0062] In the reinforcement portion 10 shown in FIG. 17, the box pin 8and box 7 are formed integrally. Thus, part of the inside portion 11 ofthe reinforcement portion 10 is formed integrally with the box 7 so thatthey can be fixed firmly.

[0063] In the reinforcement portion 10 shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, inorder to firmly fix the reinforcement portion 10 to the fastener tape 3,warp yarns 21 on the outside edge portion in a woven fastener tape 3 arepulled out from a certain area so that a rough woven fabric in whichonly weft yarns 22 exist is formed so as to provide a rough structure20. In the case of a warp knitted fastener tape 3, its warp knittingyarns are pulled out so as to form a rough knitting fabric to providethe rough structure 20. By forming one of the ribs 13 c of the frames 16existing on an outer end portion of the outside portions 12 in thereinforcement portions 10 opposite to the box 7 integrally on the frontand rear surfaces of the rough structure 20 of woven fabric or knitfabric, part of synthetic resin for forming the frames 16 penetrate intothe rough structure 20, so that the reinforcement portions 10 are fixedon the fastener tape 3 firmly by fusion.

[0064] In the reinforcement portions 10 shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, therough structure 20 is provided on the outside edge portion of the wovenor knit fastener tape 3 like the above-described embodiment and theinside portions 11 of the reinforcement portions 10 are formed on thefront and rear faces of the core portion 6 of the fastener tape 3 whileone of the ribs 13 c of the frame 16 on the outer end portion of theoutside portion 12 of the reinforcement portion 10 opposite to the box 7is disposed on the rough structure 20 and the frame 16 is fused with therough structure 20. Consequently, the reinforcement portions 10 arefixed on the fastener tape 3 firmly.

[0065] The embodiment shown in FIG. 22 shows an example applied to adouble side openable type separable bottom end stop 5. An end of onefastener stringer 2 is loaded with the box pin 8 and an end of the otherfastener stringer 2 is loaded with the insert pin 9. The right and leftfastener stringers 2 have no box 7 and two sliders 35 are mountedslidably in opposite directions so that the fastener chain 1 isopened/closed from both sides and can be separated to the right and leftsides.

[0066] The relatively long box pin 8 which two sliders 35 can pass isformed on the core portion 6 of one fastener tape 3 in this sliderfastener. A flange 36 of each of the slider 35 makes contact with thefront end of this box pin 8 and a stopper 18 for stopping the sliding ofthe slider 35 is formed such that it is extended horizontally. A frontend of the stopper 18 is extended up to one of the thick ribs 13 c ofthe outside portion 12 in the reinforcement portion 10. A thin protrudedpiece 33 which is protruded sideway is provided on the top end of thebox pin 8 in step-like configuration, so that it is capable ofoverlapping a step-like protruded piece 33 provided on the top end ofthe insert pin 9.

[0067] The relatively long insert pin 9 which the two sliders 35 canpass is formed on the core portion 6 of the other fastener tape 3. Theprotruded piece 33 which coincides with the protruded piece 33 of thebox pin 8 and overlap the protruded piece 33 is provided on the top endof the insert pin 9. The inside portion 11 of the reinforcement portion10 is formed such that its end side is expanded so as to coincide with ablade of the slider 35 in order to allow the wide blades on the shoulderside of the slider 35 to pass.

[0068] As for the usage condition of the separable bottom end stop 5,with two sliders 35 mounted on the fastener stringer 2 loaded with thebox pin 8 such that they are directed in opposite directions, the slider35 is kept in contact with the stopper 18 of the box pin 8, the insertpin 9 of the fastener stringer 2 loaded with the insert pin 9 isinserted. Then, the upper slider 35 is pulled upward so as to engage thefastener elements 4 on the right and left fastener stringers 2 with eachother, thereby completing the fastener chain 1. To separate the fastenerchain 1, if the fastener stringer 2 loaded with the insert pin 9 ispulled out of the two sliders 35 after the two sliders 35 are pulleddown to the stopper 18, the right and left fastener stringer 2 can bedisconnected and released.

[0069] The slide fastener with the separable bottom end stop has theabove-described configuration and with this configuration, followingeffects are exerted.

[0070] The fastener elements 4 are mounted on the opposing side edges ofa pair of the fastener tapes 3 and the separable bottom end stop 5 madeof synthetic resin is provided on one of the side edges of each of thefastener tapes 3 at one of end portions of those fastener elements 4 andthe reinforcement portion 10 is formed integrally with the separablebottom end stop 5 such that it is extended on at least one surface ofthe fastener tape 3. Because the reinforcement portion 10 is constitutedof plural ribs 13 a disposed obliquely as seen in its plan view in theinside portion 11 connected to the separable bottom end stop 5, even ifa bending force or a twisting force is applied to the end portion of thefastener stringer 2 in the slide fastener with separable bottom end stop5, the ribs 13 a disposed obliquely in the inside portion 11 of thereinforcement portion scatter the external force effectively and areeasy to deform. Therefore, this prevents the separable bottom end stop 5from being damaged and blocks the reinforcement portion 10 provided onthe end portion from being caught by other things and separated from thefastener tape 3.

[0071] In addition to the above-described effect, in the reinforcementportion 10, the ribs 13 a, 13 b and 13 c are disposed symmetrically onboth surfaces of the fastener tape 3 and the inside portion 11 is formedthinner than the outside portion 12. The reinforcement portions 10sandwich both surfaces of the fastener tape 3, so that the reinforcementportions 10 can be fixed firmly and the inside portions 11 of thereinforcement portions 10 are formed with softness and flexibility.

[0072] Because the intersecting portion of the ribs 13 a is formed inarc-like configuration as seen in its plan view, an external forceapplied to the reinforcement portion 10 can be scattered easily.Further, because the concave portions 14 are formed among the ribs 13 ain the inside portion 11 of the reinforcement portion 10, they allow theribs 13 a of the reinforcement portion 10 to be deformed and reinforcedeasily. Moreover, because the cut-out 15 which is dented toward the topend is formed at the bottom edge of the inside portion 11 of thereinforcement portion 10, it absorbs a twisting force applied to theinside portion of the reinforcement portion 10 so as to reduce the load.

[0073] The reinforcement portion 10 is constituted of the inside portion11 connected to the separable bottom end stop 5 and the outside portion12 which is connected to the inside portion 11 and extended toward theouter edge of the fastener tape 3 and the outside portion 12 is formedof plural ribs 13 b disposed in parallel with a predetermined interval.Consequently, the outside portion 12 of the reinforcement portion 10 iscapable of reducing the frequency that the sewing needle may contact theribs 13 b at the time of sewing thereby preventing the ribs 13 b from adamage.

[0074] Because, when the core portion 6 and the fastener tape 3 are cutout with heat with respect to the front end of each of the box pin 8 andinsert pin 9, the bottom ends of the inside portion 11 and outsideportion 12 of the reinforcement portion 10 are located inside of a cutline, the core portion 6 never turns to a rigid lump when the fastenertape 3 is cut with heat so that an excellent texture is maintained.Further, the ribs 13 a, 13 b and 13 c of the reinforcement portion 10are never separated from the fastener tape 3, so that the separablebottom end stop 5 can be finished with good quality.

[0075] Because, in the fastener tape 3, a side edge portion opposing theouter end portion of the reinforcement portion 10 opposite to the box 7is formed into the rough structure 20 by weaving or knitting so that theend portion of the reinforcement portion 10 is allowed to penetrate intothe rough structure 20, a part of the outside portion 12 of thereinforcement portion 10 are allowed to penetrate into the structure ofthe fastener tape 3 and fixed therein, thereby the reinforcement portion10 being attached firmly. Because, in the inside portion 11 of thereinforcement portion 10, width from an inside end faces of the fastenerelements 4 toward an inside of the fastener tape 3 is within 4.0 mm, theinside portion 11 of the reinforcement portion 10 enables easyinsertion/removal of the right and left fastener stringers 2, and theinside portion 11 can exert its function effectively with an optimumconfiguration.

What is claimed:
 1. A slide fastener with a separable bottom end stop inwhich fastener elements are attached to opposing side edges of a pair offastener tapes, comprising a separable bottom end stop made of syntheticresin which is attached to the opposing side edges of the fastener tapesat end portions of the fastener elements, and a reinforcement portionwhich is formed integrally with the separable bottom end stop andextended toward at least one surface of the fastener tapes, wherein thereinforcement portion is formed of plural ribs disposed obliquely asseen in its plan view, which are provided in an inside portion on a sideconnected to the separable bottom end stop.
 2. The slide fastener withthe separable bottom end stop according to claim 1, wherein thereinforcement portion is so configured that the ribs are disposedsymmetrically on both surfaces of the fastener tape while the insideportion 11 is formed thinner than an outside portion.
 3. The slidefastener with the separable bottom end stop according to claim 1,wherein an intersecting portion of the ribs is formed in an arc-likeconfiguration as seen in its plan view.
 4. The slide fastener with theseparable bottom end stop according to claim 1, wherein a concaveportion is formed among the ribs in the inside portion of thereinforcement portion.
 5. The slide fastener with the separable bottomend stop according to claim 1, wherein a cut-out which is dented towarda top end is formed in a bottom edge of the inside portion of thereinforcement portion.
 6. The slide fastener with the separable bottomend stop according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement portion isconstituted of the inside portion connected to the separable bottom endstop and an outside portion which is connected to the inside portion andextended toward an outer edge of the fastener tape while the outsideportion is formed of plural ribs disposed in parallel with apredetermined interval.
 7. The slide fastener with the separable bottomend stop according to claim 6 having a rib for connecting front ends ofthe plural ribs wherein the rib has a parallel potion extending in aparallel direction with the length direction of the fastener tape at abottom end side of the reinforcement portion and a bent portion bendingin a direction parting from an outside edge portion of the fastener tapeat an upper end side of the reinforcement portion.
 8. The slide fastenerwith the separable bottom end stop according to claim 1, wherein bottomends of the inside portion and an outside portion of the reinforcementportion are formed farther from a bottom end of the fastener tape 3 thana bottom end of a box pin or an insert pin are.
 9. The slide fastenerwith the separable bottom end stop according to claim 7, wherein thebottom end of the box pin or the insert pin is disposed adjacent to thebottom end of the fastener tape and an adhered portion in which yarnscomposing the fastener tape adhere each other is formed at the bottomend of the fastener tape.
 10. The slide fastener with the separablebottom end stop according to claim 1, wherein a side edge portion ofeach of the fastener tapes opposing an outer end portion of thereinforcement portion opposite to the box is formed into a roughstructure and the outer end portion of the reinforcement portionpenetrates into the rough structure.
 11. The slide fastener with theseparable bottom end stop according to claim 1, wherein, in the insideportion of the reinforcement portion, width from an inside end faces ofthe fastener elements toward an inside of each of the fastener tapes iswithin 4.0 mm.